POLITICAL BIAS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20504, 21 May 1938, Page 8

POLITICAL BIAS

MORTGAGE ADJUSTMENTS ALLEGATIONS IN THE SOUTH ATTITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT (By Telegrapn.—press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday During his visit to the Waitaki electorate and Central Otago the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb received several complaints from farmers against the decisions of the Mortgage Adjustment Commission. The complaint was general in each of the towns that he has visited so far, the allegation being that political bias is being shown. In reply to a question to-day Mr Webb said that individual members of the commission had not been questioned concerning their policies, as the Government did not desire to introduce politics into this important work. He added that the appointments had been made by the Minister of Justice, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, who had chosen members because of their qualifications. The first concern of the Government, added the minister, was that each case should be considered on its merits and that the spirit of the legislation be given effect to. The public could rest assured that as the Government had been responsible for the legislation the Government would also see to it that the administration of the Act would follow the spirit in which Jt had been passed. He would offer no opinion as to the justice or otherwise of the complaints which had been placed before him, and his only comment was that the people best able to judge must be those hearing the evidence.